Covering the 1997 general election mark mardell did a broadcast from the polling station next to our house. All the time our (extremely friendly) cat was sitting on the wall immediately behind him. Ever since the we have referred to MM as ‘suzie’s Friend’.
The only E ones that sppring to mind are Eddie Mair, Eleanor Oldroyde (not sure of spelling) and Elaine Paige but they don't fit the clue a sfar as I can see
Just remembered Emma Bunton too, but I can't parse that either.
the nearerst so far seems to Eleanor Oldroyd as it containes something close to "older a bit" but it's not close enough
Verry, VERY "iffy" - carry on looking for something better
Eddie Mair
Older = major (major and minor)
older a bit = major without the "j" = pronounced Mair
However, the others are much more obvious than this, therefore I suspect it will be wrong.